Japan, Australia push for defense pact amid regional tension

The prime ministers of Japan and Australia toured a military training camp outside Tokyo Thursday, as the two countries seek to bolster defense ties in the face of the North Korean crisis.

Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe are hoping to thrash out a security agreement on joint defense operations and exercises, with one eye also on China as it expands its naval ambitions.

Australia and Japan are looking to bolster their military ties in an era of regional tensions characterised by North Korea’s missile and nuclear drive and China’s increasing assertiveness (AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

Diplomats are putting the finishing touches to the proposed defense pact, which would be the first of its kind for Japan and would make Australia Tokyo’s closest military partner after the United States.

The pact would reportedly lay the ground for Japanese military exercises out of Darwin, the northern Australian city heavily bombed by Japan in World War II.

“The (military) agreement, when concluded, will be a pillar of the Japan-Australia security cooperation,” said a Japanese diplomat ahead of the talks.

Both capitals say boosting military cooperation is vital given the tense situation in the region, with North Korea’s missile programme bringing the world closer to nuclear conflict than at any time since the Cold War.

China’s steady expansion of its military and economic influence in Asia Pacific has also encouraged Japan and Australia to draw closer militarily.

Ahead of his visit, Turnbull urged the international community to keep up the pressure on North Korea.

“Japan and Australia are absolutely united in our resolve to ensure that the global community brings the strongest pressure to bear on North Korea … to ensure that the regime comes to its senses and stops its threatening and reckless conduct,” he said.

During his one-day visit, Turnbull will attend a special session of Japan’s National Security Council and visit Tokyo train station, one of the world’s busiest.

“We have heard the prime minister is a big fan of public transport,” the Japanese official said.

Also on the agenda for Turnbull is a meeting with Japanese business leaders as well as Tokyo police officials to discuss general counter-terrorism efforts ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The two men will also discuss economic ties, with a joint push to eventually sign a vast Trans-Pacific Partnership deal.